Prof. Andreas N. Angilakise, Chairman of the International Water Association (IWA) Specialist Group on Water and Wastewater in Ancient Civilizations, US Water Culture Institute Director David Groenfeldt and other experts visited IWHR on October 24, 2016, meeting IWHR President Kuang Shangfu, Vice President Liu Zhiping and Peng Jing before attending a seminar on water resources history hosted in Beijing by IWHR and Chinese Hydraulic Engineering Society.

Dr. Kuang welcomed the guests from Europe, America and Asia. He pointed out the 5000 years of Chinese history was also the history of water, and that ancient experience and wisdom could serve as valuable reference for the sustainable utilization of water resources in future. Dr. Kuang also hoped experts attending the seminar could share water history and experience and learn from each other.

The seminar coincided with the 80th anniversary of IWHR's Department of Water History.

Prof. Angilakise and Dr. Groenfeldt talked on the responsibilities of the IWA SG on Water and Wastewater in Ancient Civilizations, water history in Greece, development of water culture and water ethnics in US, etc. The visiting experts also expressed their admiration for the Chinese water history and offered their congratulations on the anniversary, and hoped international cooperation and exchange could be expanded in the fields of water history and cultural research.